Panapardu Jukurrpa - Wapurtali

This painting depicts the Pamapardu Jukurrpa (Flying Ant Dreaming) from Wapurtali, west of Yuendumu. 'Parnapardu' is the Warlpiri name for the flying ants or termites that build teh large anthills found throughout Warlpiri country. This country belongs to Nakamarra / Napurrurla women and Jakamarra / Jupurrurla men. The flying ants build earth mound (mingkirri) that are common in the Tanami area. When heavy rains come in summer the mounds get flooded out, so the ants grow wings and fly off to make new homes, following their queens to dry mounds or to build a new nest. When they have found their new home, they drop their wings. In this stage they can be collected, lightly cooked in coals and eaten. As they fall to the ground, women collect them to eat because they are nice and sweet.